Already one month of summer has passed, and we have all experienced its various variations, from abnormally cold to excessively hot. Most people look forward to this time of year for the opportunity to relax in nature, swim in bodies of water, and sunbathe. All of these activities are enjoyable and serve an important social and relaxing function, but are they safe?
In this article, we will discuss the risks of summer vacation and actions that can help you avoid them.
The forest
A popular retreat for city dwellers has always been a picnic in the forest or a wooded area, a park, or a recreational zone.
Ukrainian cities are quite green and often surrounded by coniferous or deciduous plantations, which undoubtedly helps improve air quality. However, it is important to remember that in the grass, there are tiny but sneaky attackers waiting for you - ticks.
Forests are rarely treated with substances that are harmful to these creatures, and their population is large. Ticks do not fall from trees; they crawl onto footwear and clothing from below, so you can even bring a hungry insect with you after a short walk in the park.
If you are going to relax in nature, wear clothing that fully covers your arms and legs, and choose light-colored attire to make ticks easily visible. Feeling hot in closed clothing? Opt for lightweight natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and so on.
Also, treat your clothing with tick repellents before heading into the forest. Read the instructions carefully to know where and when to apply the spray. Some substances are permitted in Ukraine and can be used for children aged two and above.
After returning home, immediately send your clothes for washing and thoroughly inspect your entire body, especially in natural folds. Removing a recently attached tick is relatively easy and minimizes the risk of Lyme disease transmission. Do not apply oil to the tick; it may worsen the situation. Additionally, do not try to pull out the tick simply by pulling its body, as there is a risk of leaving the tick's head embedded in the skin.
In the forest, accidents such as scratches from branches, falls, or burns can occur.
Therefore, bring a first aid kit with bandages and clean water to rinse any wounds. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or green disinfectants on the wound, as they may not be helpful and could potentially harm by increasing tissue damage.
Beach
First and foremost, beach relaxation requires adherence to basic safety rules: do not swim while intoxicated, avoid diving in unfamiliar areas, and do not venture into deep waters if you are unsure of your swimming skills.
Also, pay attention to whether the water body is safe and authorized for swimming.
Within and near Ukrainian cities, there are few lakes, ponds, and rivers with sufficiently clean water to ensure completely safe swimming. Let's agree that contracting an infectious disease from the beach would greatly spoil the vacation experience. Sometimes it's better to simply admire the water or take a stroll along the shoreline instead of fully immersing yourself.
Some people visit the beach not only for water activities but also to obtain a tanned skin tone. For some reason, this is still considered attractive in modern society, although recent trends are shifting towards health awareness.
When sunbathing, it is important to be cautious and not overexpose your skin, as each time you "burn" in the sun, your skin is damaged over a large area. Wherever there is an injury, active cell division occurs, increasing the risk of atypical and malignant skin conditions.
Furthermore, sunlight leads to premature aging and skin dryness, as well as the appearance of wrinkles. Therefore, it is important for both adults and children to protect themselves from sun exposure by using sunscreen with SPF 30-50 and avoiding the beach between 11 am and 4 pm when the radiation is most intense.
Even if you spend the entire vacation lying under an umbrella, there will still be enough ultraviolet rays for a light, non-damaging tan.
After a day at the beach and swimming, don't forget to use moisturizing body lotion.
It's worth mentioning the beloved "savior" for tourists in case of sunburn - panthenol in the composition of creams, sprays, etc.
This substance has wound-healing properties but is not intended for sunburn. Applying it to wounds or burnt skin in the first or second day makes no sense as it only creates a barrier on the surface.
In the case of sunburn or other burns, on the contrary, it is necessary to allow excess heat to escape from the skin rather than accumulating inside, causing further damage.
For this reason, it is not advisable to smear sour cream on your shoulders and back. While it may subjectively cool the skin, the fatty layer actually conserves thermal energy inside. It is recommended to treat the burned area with cold water, apply a towel-wrapped ice pack (to avoid overcooling). If you forgot to use sunscreen and got sunburned, taking an ibuprofen tablet would also be beneficial as it will relieve pain and inflammation in the tissues.
However you choose to spend your vacation, don't rely solely on folk remedies, as they are often ineffective and sometimes even dangerous.
Consult with a qualified medical professional for advice on protection and treatment for various conditions, as well as the contents of your travel first aid kit.
Take care of yourself and have a safe vacation!
